This is an excellent example of a deluxe Winchester Model 1876 rifle. The factory letter indicates it was received and shipped on July 22, 1884, in order number 13036. The letter also confirms the configuration including the set trigger and checkered pistol grip stock. The rifle has the Third Model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edge, a 28 inch full octagon barrel, full length magazine, a color casehardened forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate, and fire blue loading gate, trigger, dust cover and bolt. The forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe fancy grain walnut with finely cut "Style H" checkering and a high polish piano finish. The bottom of the pistol grip has an ebony inlay. The barrel has a dovetail mounted "Rocky Mountain" front sight with nickel silver blade and a sporting rear sight with plain edges. A folding mid range Vernier peep sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The rifle has a special order single set trigger. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." "CAL-45-60" is engraved on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. "45-60" is stamped in script numerals on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The serial number, "40712", is stamped across the lower tang in tiny numerals between the lever latch and the tang screw. The Model 1876, popularly referred to as the "Centennial Model," was Winchester's first lever action repeating rifle chambered for black powder big game cartridges. The Model 1876 was a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt who described his use of the rifle in Dakota Territory in the 1880s in his book "HUNTING TRIPS OF A RANCHMAN".

Excellent. The rifle is all original and remains in exceptional original condition showing very minimal handling. 95% of the original blue and color casehardened finish remains. With the exception of two very small spots of pitting on the right side of the barrel, nearly all of the blue finish is present on the barrel and magazine. The case colors on forearm cap, receiver, hammer, and lever are vivid. There is some very light pitting on the edge of the buttplate heel and toe, and the case colors on the buttplate have faded slightly. The buttplate still retains close to 95% of the color casehardened finish. The loading gate and trigger have nearly all of the fire blue finish. The dust cover has some very slight edge wear and several very minor handling marks but retains about 95% of the niter blue finish. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition and retain about 95% of the high polish piano finish. The fine checkering on the pistol grip and forearm is sharp. Wear on the stock and forearm is limited to a few very minor handling marks. The barrel legend, caliber designations and serial number are crisp. This is a stunning example of a special order deluxe Winchester Model 1876 lever action rifle. It would be extremely difficult to find a better example of this scarce and very desirable rifle.